A Collection of Daily Wisdom by Dennis Sylvester Hurd since September 2003.

In some places, a rush towards societal uniformity, a false sense of patriotism, and a mentality very alien to the ideals of democracy, are fostering a total silence against restrictions of some basic liberty and freedoms.



I wonder where that came outburst came from?

When people don't know each other they can always discuss the weather. Around these parts, people can complain about the rain. We saw news reports last week of the heat wave in the middle of the continent, but I had to light the fireplace!

June was not very sunny. So far this July has been a bit of a washout. Today, it is again overcast and ugly outside. Yet things can change fast.

Labels: weather

You know that notebook in the last entry? Well, it is on my lap now. Signal strength over the wireless network is excellent. But then again, it should be, shouldn't it? The real computer is about two feet away! How silly!

I obviously don't really need one as I've managed quite happily until now without. Yet, being able to carry it anywhere would certainly be right up my alley. As well, there's so much can be done wirelessly nowadays.

I think perhaps ... it's time.

I did pick up a weekend COMM 0004 class that'll run through mid-August. I'll be teaching at the downtown campus although there's very little going on there at this time of year. Because of work, many people need portable computing power. I can't really convince myself that purchasing a Gateway 3522GZ will help me become anymore efficient though.

Maybe ... there's better way to spend my money?

Final marks are in for the class that I finished teaching last weekend. Having zero commitments for the day makes me feel completely free. As a contract employee, I enjoy real flexibility. I have requested to teach weekends again starting this Saturday, but because of how enrollment at BCIT works, I will not find out what courses are available until later today. Still, life is good because it really doesn't matter whether or not I teach for the rest of the year. Going into work is lots easier when it's absolutely by choice. I bet it makes me a much more patient instructor too.


Today is rainy. Yet the other day, when students completed
course evaluations, I had to leave the classroom. I sat where there's
generally a security guard on the first floor of the building. I
took this photo.

Labels: BCIT

Last month, I mentioned that a former teacher of mine would be passing through Vancouver in August. I do hope to run into Ken and his wife before they jump on their cruise to Alaska.

Mr. Ken Greenbaum was my fifth grade teacher in Sunapee, NH. That was back when I was smart and he a new teacher. I must have seen him a few times since 1970, but I do know that it has, quite literally, been decades.

This made me wonder who'll be more surprised by our future encounter. We have both undoubtedly changed a lot. So, I ran to that box that my dad shipped to me last week and found this school photo taken in Grade 5. This is what Dennis, as a cub scout, looked like in 1970.

Ken will not find anyone who looks much like this nowadays!

Labels: New Hampshire, Sunapee

I am at an age where I appreciate the little things that make life enjoyable. Notice I could've written finer things but somehow little seemed a better adjective. Some people wander through life demanding everything and being appreciative of nothing. Luckily, that's not moi.

As a youth, I can remember a giant, shiny percolator that used to make coffee for Baptist gatherings. It was the size of a small missile and would dim the lights when plugged in. I wonder how many people nowadays, can recall seeing perking coffee appear in a little glass doodad at the top of a machine. I assume the darkness of the liquid's colour told one the brew's strength.

I am truly thankful for my present-day, filter-drip coffee maker. Yesterday, I had to be up early. I love my el-cheapo Proctor-Silex device simply because it has a timer. I set it about 15 minutes before the alarm so that the aroma of fresh coffee will waft though the apartment and wake me before the annoying clock.

I should also add a Happy 4th today for my star-fangled friends.

It's been a long time in coming. My class has been studying 7 hours each Saturday and Sunday for the last six weeks! Today, it will all come to an end. We have a bit of review, course evaluations, and our final examinations. We'll finish up in the computer lab. It is hard day for them but easy for me. After they hand in all the papers, then MY hard work begins.


This was during a break in the SE 41 courtyard.
It was taken a bit earlier in the BCIT term.

Labels: BCIT, students